NEWS

2025.04.02

【Report】The Roundtable “Shaping the Future of Creative Careers in Asia” was held! (Research Development Program)

The roundtable discussion “Shaping the Future of Creative Careers in Asia” took place on February 6, 2025, at Ritsumeikan University (Kinugasa Campus). This is part of the ongoing three-year (2024–26) research project, Shaping the Future of Creative Careers: Comparative Analysis of CCI Workforces in Asia and the Role of Universities, headed by Dr.Shinji Oyama (Professor, College of International Relations) and funded by the Asia-Japan Research Institute of Ritsumeikan University (AJI). The project explores the evolving landscape of creative labor across Asia’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI), focusing on workforce development and the role of higher education in shaping future creative careers. The roundtable brought together scholars from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, China, Indonesia, and Romania to discuss topics on recruitment, employment conditions, and education, offering insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by creative professionals in the region. The event is divided into two sessions and moderated by Dr. Joanna Obispo (Senior Research, AJI).

Opening of the roundtable event

The event began with welcome remarks from Dr. Oyama, who introduced the research project and outlined its objectives. Drawing from his experience in the media industry across New York, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, Dr. Oyama reflected how these diverse cultural and labor conditions shaped his understanding of the unique challenges faced by media workers in different national contexts. His research on Japanese media recruitment, coupled with discussions at academic workshops in Edinburgh and Beijing, emphasized the necessity of a cross-cultural approach to studying creative labor. He emphasized the importance of studying creative industries from the workers' perspective rather than focusing solely on content production or economic impact. Dr. Oyama posed key questions about industry accessibility, career structures, and persistent inequalities, setting the stage for the keynote lecture and panel discussions.

Dr. Oyama delivering his welcome remarks

Keynote presentation

Dr. Changwook Kim delivering his keynote

In the first session, Dr. Changwook Kim (Associate Professor, Handong Global University) delivered a keynote address titled “Exporting Culture, Exploiting Creatives? Global K-Culture Boom and the Problem of Creative Labor in Korean Cultural Industries,” critically examining the political-economic structures behind the global success of Korean Wave (Hallyu) and the often-overlooked realities of creative labor in Korea’s cultural export industry. He explored South Korea’s alternative globalization model, distinct from American/Western frameworks, which relies on cultural hybridization, multilingual production teams, and global casting, with K-pop serving as a case study of an industry designed for international markets from its inception. Dr. Kim highlighted the systemic precarity embedded in the K-Culture production system, emphasizing that precarious labor conditions manifest differently across regional political, economic, and cultural contexts. He introduced the concept of “actually existing precarity” to describe how self-monitoring, competition, and continuous skill development shape creative workers’ experiences. While freelancer unions and increasing recognition of creative workers’ rights have emerged in response to these challenges, Dr. Kim noted that inadequate legal protections and systemic exploitation persist. His presentation concluded with reflections on the sustainability of the Korean Wave, emphasizing the need for a labor-centered approach to cultural sustainability that ensures dignity and fair treatment for workers.

Dr. Yu-Kei Tse imparting her comments on Dr. Kim’s keynote

Dr. Yu-Kei Tse (Assistant Professor, International Christian University), serving as the commentator, raised concerns about the sustainability of exporting South Korea’s production model and whether the “K” in K-Culture still holds significance as other countries localize its production system. Her discussion also touched on recent controversies in K-pop, particularly the role of foreign-born idols in raising labor rights issues. Dr. Kim responded by highlighting how K-Culture has evolved beyond a national identity into a global cultural production framework, which also introduces new complexities especially in developing countries with weaker labor protections. He also suggested that foreign K-pop members may help expose exploitative practices on an international scale. The discussion segued into an engaging Q&A session, where attendees raised questions about legal recognition, unionization efforts, and the role of global platforms in shaping creative labor conditions.

Roundtable Panel Discussion
The second session, Media Workers Country Reports: From Media Education to Media Work, featured project members from Ritsumeikan University, including three students from the Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR). They presented country-specific insights into the relationship between education and creative labor markets in Asia and Europe.

Dr. Shinji Oyama delivering his presentation

Dr. Shinji Oyama delivered “Shaping Creative Careers in Asia: The Country Report on Japan,” providing a comparative analysis of Japan’s CCI recruitment (Shūkatsu) and labor practices, which challenges Western-centric perspectives on creative labor. He highlighted the country’s membership-based employment system, which prioritizes stability but limits specialization and job mobility. Dr. Oyama noted that Japanese companies emphasize university reputation over industry-specific education and the lack of systematic pre-employment training, in contrast to South Korea and China, which favor specialized training. It raises the question whether the current recruitment and training systems might hinder creativity and innovation. He also outlined the research project’s multi-phase structure, beginning with country reports and culminating in applied research and international symposiums. His presentation set the foundation for comparing different Asian approaches to creative industries, providing context for the other country-specific presentations that followed.

Dr. Obispo presenting her research

Next, Dr. Joanna Obispo presented on “Philippine Cultural & Creative Industries (CCI) & Education.” She examined the strong alignment between education and creative industry employment in the Philippines, contrasting it with Japan’s more flexible recruitment practices. She outlined how government initiatives, particularly the Creative Industries Development Act of 2022, aim to position the country as an ASEAN Creative Hub by 2030. Unlike Japan, the Philippines requires industry-relevant degrees for employment, leading to strong alignment between education and labor markets. She explained how Philippine tertiary institutions have restructured curricula to enhance student’s employability by focusing on industry-specific skills training, emphasizing the role of universities in shaping industry-ready professionals. However, she also addressed challenges in the sector, such as the need for stronger worker protections and the sustainability of creative careers, particularly freelancers. Her presentation emphasized the Philippines' efforts to integrate education, industry, and policy for CCI development.

Ms. Zhang presenting her findings

Thirdly, Ms. Jiayi Zhang’s (PhD student, GSIR) presentation on “Country Report: An Introduction to China’s Cultural Industry Framework and Employment Practices” explored China’s evolving creative industries, highlighting the delicate balance between government regulation and market-driven growth. She analyzed the official Culture and Related Industry Classification, which categorizes China’s CCIs into core, content creation, related industries, and emerging productivity fields, with a strong emphasis on state oversight and ideological security. She also explained the structured recruitment system in media and creative industries that requires state-approved qualifications and exams. Companies like Bilibili employ rigorous hiring processes, combining written and oral assessments. Her presentation highlighted China’s strategic approach to cultural industry development, ensuring economic expansion while maintaining ideological control.

Ms. Siwi presenting her findings

The next presentation was by Ms. Agnes Siwi Purwaning Tyas (PhD student, GSIR) on “#TheEngineNewEngineofGrowth - From Creative Industries to Creative Economy: A Case Study from Indonesia.” She examined Indonesia’s transition from creative industries to a creative economy, emphasizing the government’s strategic recognition of the sector’s role in national development. Creativity is framed as an economic driver, addressing youth unemployment through opportunities in multimedia, app development, and game design. However, she pointed out regional disparities in training opportunities, as specialized education remains concentrated in urban centers. The government has introduced flexible entry routes into CCIs, with certification-based qualifications complementing formal degrees, as well as structuring the curricula to meet the National Qualification Standards.

Ms. Maiuga presenting her research

Lastly, Ms. Alexandra Maiuga (PhD Student, GSIR) presented “From Education to Employment? The Case of the UK,” which she critically examined the disconnect between higher education and employment in the UK’s media and communication sectors. Through case studies of universities (e.g., King’s College London, the University of the Arts London, and the London School of Economics), she argued that many programs provide predominantly theoretical knowledge with limited practical training. She also examined entry-level job advertisements from major media companies, revealing that many positions require substantial prior experience despite being labeled as "entry-level." She critiqued the lack of transparency in job advertisements and highlighted the precarious nature of freelance work, particularly in London, where high living costs make creative careers financially unsustainable for many graduates.

Open Discussion and Closing Reflections

Panelists answering questions from the attendees

During the closing session, all of the presenters and participants had an engaged and collaborative interaction. They delved into key issues surrounding job security, freelancing, unionization, and fair compensation in creative industries. Dr. Oyama concluded the roundtable discussion by posing a thought-provoking question to Dr. Kim about shifting perceptions of creativity—from being seen as an innate talent to a skill that can be trained. Dr. Kim responded that unlike J-pop’s flexible approach, K-pop’s rigorous preparation system might ensure high-quality output, but risks sacrificing diversity in artistic expression —an essential factor in sustaining creative industries. The discussion ended with reflections on the future of creative work in Asia, underscoring the need for sustainable labor policies in the cultural and creative industries.

Research project members (from left to right: Dr. Obispo, Dr. Yukio Fujita-University of Tokyo, Dr. Tse, Dr. Oyama, Dr. Kim, Ms. Siwi, Ms. Zhang, Ms. Maiuga)

The roundtable provided a comparative perspective on creative labor across Asia, highlighting differences in employment structures, industry conditions, and education-to-employment pathways. The discussions emphasized the need for greater labor protections, stronger industry-academia collaboration, more transparent recruitment practices, and sustainable creative labor policies. The insights shared during the event will inform future phases of the research project, contributing to a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of creative industries in Asia.

Attendees of the Shaping the Future Creative Careers in Asia roundtable